Example pages for the AGK card model database

This is the start page of the card model database. It gives you access to the database via several search pages and via thematic lists. As an example, the “Show Models” menu is shown opened so you can see the options it offers. The functions of the upper menu can be used by anyone. Adding or editing data and direct database access through the model ID are examples of functions that are reserved for AGK members.
In the left side of the main panel members have additional options for a quick access to recently viewed or edited models, publishers etc. On the right side you can define filters and adjust settings.
The right sidebar shows mainly the models added most recently to the database.

A sample list of publishers of a country, in this case Denmark. If the link to the publisher’s website is known, it is used. Use you can call up addittonal information, and with you can edit that item. initiates the search for a model of that publisher. The button lets you jump to a list the models. shows a list of all model images (i. e. limited to only models with images), and shows a table of all models that you can sort by column. The Google icon shows a map on which the real-world locations of architectural model originals are marked.
A drop-down menu can overlay the panel and allows you to show a publisher from a different country.

A sample list of designers that have created more than 10 models. The functions for this list are the same as described above for the list of publishers.

There are many more lists that allow an access to the models, for example the list of categories into which all models are categorized. Each main category has its own identifying color. Again, the button show all models of the selected category.

Sample of a list of locations of the original buildings for architectural models. Again, the functuíons in this list largely follow the examples described above: In this case the gets you to a list of locations on which models are based, and calls up a map with these locations. Similar overview lists exist for ship and airplane models, based on the country of registration, type/series and class.

This a list of models (shown for the French publisher L'Instant Durable). Regardless by which criteria you searched or from which list you arrive, the - button always gets you to this type of list. 20 models are shown per page (members can change that in their settings) and you can browse the list in any direction. Note that each model has a background color according to the main category it belongs to.
Most of the following functions are only available if you are logged in as an AGK member: shows the detailed model description. With you can edit the model data, and the "check-mark" lets you add the model to your personal “virtual collection”. Members can also limit all functions to apply only to models in their personal collection. The plus sign - marks a model for a comparison list. lets you search for models with a name similar to the name of the current model.

Another option to view lists of models is to show their cover images plus some basic information (this shows only models that actually have a cover image, though). The functional options in this display are the same as for the other lists. The buttons in the 2nd menu row allow you to switch between several list views.

Another option for the list view is the table of models. It allows to sort the models by column; you can also choose which columns you want to see.

This is an example of a model profile page. The database can hold about 50 (or a few more) entries per model: Title, title variants, designer, publisher, year of publication, printing process, size and packaging as well as number of parts, data about the built model and about the real-life prototype (including how true to the original the model is). All this data can be displayed in the table in a well-readable layout. The headings are colored by model category. The and buttons let you dig in deeper to get more information about the designer and the publisher or to lists of models by that designer/publisher/year/category.
The bottom part of each entry shows information about sources and collections for this model, followed by the database history for the model entry (who created it, who edited it and when). If available, the right sidebar shows thumbnails of the images that have been submitted for this model; you can view the image as a slideshow if you like. Similar “profile” pages exist for designers and publishers.

This is a part of the data edit form. There is a specific help function for each data item (the example shows the help for packaging). The data is sorted into thematic tabs that should be self-explanatory. AGK members are enabled to edit, add to and improve the existing data – similar to the Wiki system. Are you interested in contributing? In that case, why don’t you become a member of the AGK? Look here to find out how.

The result of a search for publishers looks like this. In the example the search was performed as a fuzzy search for all publishers with model in their name. The figure in the 1st column is a ratio that tells you how well the found entry fits the search criteria. Otherwise this is the same publisher list as described above. You can perform such searches for models, publishers and designers (see the options in the main menu). You can choose whether the search shall look for exact or fuzzy matches. An exact search gives only results if the entry is identical to the search term. A fuzzy search also gives results if the spelling is slightly “off”; for example, you would find models of the Eiffelturm even if you enter a search term like Eifelturm or Eifel-Turm. The result of any search is a list that follows the principles described above.

This is an interesting option if you want to dive deeper into the world of architectural models. For models of “immovable” prototypes the database can store the coordinates of the building or landmark. From that you can derive a list, or you can create a map by country (the example shows the Czech Republic) with the locations marked that have been prototypes for card models. When you click a marker you get a list of corresponding models; from there you can switch to an individual model if you like.
There is a similar map for publishers – it shows where the publishers found the prototypes for their models (not where the publishers have their headquarters).